How sellers of many stores respond building materials to customer questions about porcelain stoneware?
For example, you started a renovation and want to select materials for finishing the walls and floors. If you ask what's the difference ceramic tiles from porcelain stoneware, you risk getting a very “capacious” answer: “Porcelain stoneware is harder.”
Indeed, hardness, strength - important advantages porcelain stoneware. But that's not all.
Before purchasing finishing materials in full for repairs, it is worth finding out the details. How exactly and in comparison with what is it stronger, where can it be laid and where not? And if the benefits are truly undeniable, then what is the best way to use them in your apartment?
Difference in "origin"
The names “porcelain tiles” and “ceramic tiles” are misleading to many due to the common connection with ceramics. “Keramo” is because the material undergoes firing typical of all ceramics, and “granite” is because it looks like natural granite or marble. The second, more unusual name is very often used - “gres porcellanato”.
Porcelain tiles are produced not from pressed chips of natural granite, but from almost the same components as in the manufacture of ceramic tiles: clay, feldspar, quartz sand and kaolin.
The fundamental differences between porcelain stoneware and the features of its appearance lie in the production technology itself. Of course, the recipe for preparing wear-resistant frost-resistant tiles is not news at all; it has been known for many years. But the fact is that before there was no such powerful equipment. Today, production makes it possible to create porcelain stoneware that is superior in quality to other facing materials. It is fired at 1250 - 1300 °C, clay and quartz sand melt under such conditions. Additionally, the “ceramic granite mass” is subjected to a pressure of about 450 kg/cm2, that is, about 400 tons are applied to a 30x30cm tile.
"Waterproof"
After such “global” sintering, there are no pores left in the structure of the tile, which are characteristic of ceramic tiles, so water does not seep inside.
Imagine what happens to ordinary ceramic tiles, which have already absorbed a certain amount of liquid, in the cold! The water freezes, and the tile literally breaks from the inside. This will not happen with porcelain tiles. Its water absorption is about 0.05%. Note that among all ceramic materials this is the lowest figure, even less than natural stone.
Wear resistance
Of course, this material is often used indoors, in apartments; it is placed on the floor and tiled in kitchens. Here the temperature is unlikely to approach the critical minus. But other properties are important here, such as acid and wear resistance. To make it immediately clear, even if, say, you drop a bottle of acid on a porcelain tile floor, the tile will not fade or crumble.
In addition, you will have to trample the porcelain stoneware for a very, very long time in order for even a small crack, hole or hole to appear on it. That is why porcelain stoneware is preferable for covering not only walls, but also floors in apartments (bathroom, hallway, kitchen), and in office and industrial premises.
Coloring
And even if after a long time of use some minor damage appear, they will not be obvious at all. This is because during the production of porcelain tiles, dyes are added directly to the mass before firing.
As a result, the tile pattern penetrates the entire depth and, in addition, acquires an interesting, truly “natural” texture. And this also distinguishes porcelain tiles from ordinary ceramic tiles, which are painted only on the front side.
When choosing a wear-resistant coating for a floor surface, the consumer hesitates between: tiles, porcelain stoneware and other materials. That is why we should talk in more detail about the conditions of choice floor tiles.
The myth that special components are used to create porcelain stoneware products has long been dispelled.
The composition of the building materials is practically the same - the same:
- Clay.
- Quartz sand.
- Kaolin.
- Feldspar.
The only difference is in the manufacturing process. The difference is that porcelain stoneware is fired at the highest temperature conditions up to 1300 O C, and also applies greater press pressure, approximately 450 kg. The manufacturing technology also explains the technological properties of the materials: porcelain stoneware not only sinteres, its ingredients literally melt, and the highest pressure does not allow the formation of micropores, as in tiles. It is this difference that explains long term service of material laid outdoors. Moisture does not penetrate inside, the building material does not collapse from the inside at low temperatures. Cladding the walls of buildings with porcelain stoneware also guarantees a long service life, as does using it to finish steps.
Porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles: which is better?
For many people, it does not matter that granite ceramics are resistant to frost, because they select building materials for interior design office space, salon, apartment or cottage.
But porcelain tiles for flooring have many undeniable advantages:
- Wear resistance. Despite the high traffic stone tiles retains aesthetics for many years. It is even used for finishing in factories.
- High strength. Porcelain tiles can cope with loads of hundreds of kilograms per cm 2 (subject to highly professional cladding).
- The building material is resistant to cracking, which is typical for tiles.
- Almost no stains appear on the surface of the building material, it is moisture resistant (has a water absorption of less than 1%), and is resistant to aggressive environments.
- Porcelain tiles do not require complex maintenance; it is enough to carry out wet cleaning from time to time.
- The building material has large selection colors and textures for every taste that will fit perfectly into the interior.
- High-quality porcelain stoneware has clear edges without curvature, which makes it possible to create a minimum of seams when arranging the floor surface, achieving uniformity of the coating.
Does the material have disadvantages? The number of advantages of porcelain stoneware is great, but it would be unfair not to talk about the disadvantages. The floor surface made of it is quite cold, and insulation cannot be done (although a ceramic floor is also cold). A heated floor will help eliminate this drawback.
Cost and rules for choosing ceramic porcelain tiles
The building material has a slightly higher price than ceramic tiles, but its properties are better. The cost is a relative disadvantage; the advantages are many times greater.
There are quite a lot of product manufacturers; on the market you may find not only Italian (considered the highest quality), but also:
- Turkish;
- Baltic;
- Greek;
- Belarusian material.
How to choose good building material, which will be durable and beautiful? In Italy alone there are more than 300 brands, but not every manufacturer can boast of the high quality of the porcelain tiles they create. The material must be created using technology, starting from mixing the mixture, coloring it, maintaining the temperature to using a powerful press. It is almost impossible to determine the quality of building materials by eye.
Experts give advice:
- Buy by weight. You should find out the weight of each product (usually indicated in the catalog and on the packaging). High quality tiles, the thickness of which is 8-8.5 mm and must weigh at least 18.5 kg.
- Companies that have saved on quality can be seen immediately. Dimensions of technological recesses with reverse side should be in the form of squares with a side of up to 2 cm. Deep large squares indicate low quality building materials.
- Color calibration. Tiles from the same collection should match as much as possible in color. Good company provides high quality caliber created tiles, which means that you can also count on the compliance of other parameters.
If all the above criteria are met, this is a good product; you can take it and place it in the kitchen, bathroom or other room. Metal granite is used even outdoors.
What is the difference between tile and tile
Ceramic tiles (tiles, tiles) are a very popular type of building material for finishing. Ceramic tiles are made from a mixture of clay/sand/minerals, fired and glazed.
Glaze makes it possible to get tiles:
- Any color;
- Textures;
- Invoices;
- With different designs;
- With various ornaments;
- Glossy or matte.
Porcelain tile (porcelain) is a general name for ceramic building materials with a low level of moisture absorption and frost resistance. The composition of the raw materials for creating products is almost the same as for making porcelain, but the appearance of the tiles is similar to stone. Porcelain tiles are created using a dry press method and fired once - such tiles are pressed under the most high pressure and are fired at significant temperature conditions, in comparison with ceramic tiles.
The resulting products have high performance. They are included in the highest group in terms of wear resistance.
Classic unglazed porcelain tiles have a granular, granular structure throughout the entire depth of the product, like natural stone, but does not crack, does not have foreign inclusions or cavities. In terms of resistance to temperature changes, porcelain stoneware is also superior to natural stone, since it is dense and homogeneous.
The surface of unglazed porcelain stoneware can be:
- Unpolished.
- Semi-polished.
- Polished.
- Embossed.
Polished material is more expensive. It is used for finishing rooms with high traffic (offices, shopping centers, airports) and can be used for exterior finishing buildings. Glazed porcelain tiles also have the highest technical standards. characteristics, but more varied in design.
Unglazed or glazed single-fired tiles with a dense base or clinker are created by extrusion (pressing through a special mold) or, sometimes, by pressing. Clinker is fired at high temperatures, so it is wear-resistant and frost-resistant. In addition, clinker is resistant to aggressive environments, does not absorb moisture and is easy to clean. Extrusion makes it possible to produce tiles of the most complex geometry. The clearest example is pool material.
Signs: what is the difference between porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles (video)
It is clear that for each type of work the material must be selected individually, so if you do not have construction skills, it is better to trust the professionals, then the repair will last for many years and will delight others and the owners of the house with an attractive appearance.
Types of tiles. What is the difference between ceramic tiles and tiles?
What is the difference between tiles and ceramic tiles? What types of tiles are there? This is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions, which site employees have to answer when choosing facing material For finishing works. As practice shows, an ordinary buyer often experiences difficulties, and then he needs the help of specialists in this matter.
In fact, tiles and ceramic tiles are not various types tiles Tile is one of many types of ceramic tiles, united by a common name. Porcelain tiles, tiles, cotto, clinker - all these are types of ceramic tiles, clarifying names for a large group of finishing materials. The word "ceramics" comes from the ancient Greek "keramos", which means "made of baked clay". All ceramic tiles, including tiles, are made from clay with some additives, such as feldspar, quartz sand and water.
Ceramic tiles
This is the collective name of the whole group finishing materials, which differ in the method of making the tiles. This term often refers to its various varieties.So, let's list the types of tiles.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles (tiles, tiles) are the most common type of tile. Ceramic tiles are a mixture of clay, sand and minerals, fired and glazed. Glaze allows you to obtain products of any color, texture and texture, with a wide variety of patterns and ornaments, glossy or matte.
Ceramic granite
Porcelain tile (porcelain) is a general name for ceramic materials with ultra-low water absorption and, as a result, high frost resistance. The raw materials for the production of tiles are similar in composition to the raw materials for the production of porcelain, but in appearance the products resemble stone. Ceramic granite is made by dry pressing and subjected to single firing - such tiles are pressed under higher pressure and fired at higher temperatures. high temperatures ah, than ceramic tiles. The results are sintered, vitrified products with the highest technical characteristics. They are included in the last - highest - group in terms of resistance to abrasion and aggressive environments.
Classic unglazed porcelain stoneware has a granular, granular structure throughout the entire depth of the tile, like natural stone, but unlike it, it is free from such disadvantages as a tendency to cracks, the presence of foreign inclusions or cavities. In terms of resistance to temperature changes (especially freezing), porcelain stoneware is also superior to most types of natural stone, due to its greater density and uniformity.
The surface of unglazed porcelain stoneware is made unpolished, semi-polished, polished and embossed. (A polished product costs at least 30% more than the same unpolished product.) It is indispensable for rooms with intense human traffic (offices, supermarkets, airports) and can be used for cladding buildings.
Glazed porcelain granite also has high technical specifications, but more varied in design (with the help of glaze you can get different surface patterns).
Clinker tiles
Clinker is an unglazed or glazed single-firing tile with a compacted base. These types of tiles are produced by extrusion (pressing through a certain mold) or, sometimes, by pressing. Clinker is fired at very high temperatures, as a result of which it acquires high technical characteristics: wear resistance and frost resistance. In addition, clinker is not susceptible to aggressive chemicals, does not absorb water and is easy to clean.
Extrusion allows you to produce products of complex geometric shapes. A striking example- pool tiles. Such collections include a standard set various elements structures: gutters, steps, corners, connecting elements etc.
Cotto tile
Cotto - tiles brick color from red clay - produced by extrusion. Most often it is not glazed and has a variety of natural colors within the terracotta range (yellow, pink, red, brown shades). For these warm colors And natural color European architects love it very much. We can say that cotto has the charm of antiquity (cotto is one of the oldest methods of making tiles), which is why it is often used in the interiors of museums and churches.
These types of tiles are mainly used for indoor flooring. After installation, the surface must be covered protective compounds(hydrophobic agents and wax mastics), otherwise stains may appear on the porous unglazed surface of the cotto. When using cotto outside, certain requirements must be observed.
Cotto tile collections usually include a set additional elements: background tiles of various sizes and shapes, steps, handrails, storm drains, curbs, etc. Share of this product in the total mass Italian tiles is less than 2%.
Porcelain tile (gres porcellanato) is one of the types of facing ceramics. Like any ceramics, it is produced by sintering a mixture where the main components are clay, quartz sand and feldspar. However, there are differences in the technology of its production, which, although not of a fundamental nature, have given rise to a colossal difference between porcelain stoneware and ordinary ceramic tiles, which gives reason to consider it a completely special material. Let's consider these differences and, perhaps, dispel some misconceptions and myths associated with gres tiles.
Differences in the production of porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles
Before discussing the difference between porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the production features of these materials.
At the heart of production ceramic products The processes of firing clay in interaction with quartz and feldspars lie. The technological chain for manufacturing any ceramics looks like this:
- grinding the starting components and dosing them, preparing the mixture;
- molding of products - casting, pressing or extrusion;
- drying – removal of physically bound water;
- burning.
If necessary, glaze is applied to the surface of the “biscuit” before firing. The glaze can be applied after the main firing, in which case the product is fired again. When applying complex multi-layer decor, multiple firings are used to form the glaze.
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The differences between porcelain stoneware begin with the composition of the raw materials. For ordinary ceramics, red and white clays are used, and for porcelain stoneware, white-burning kaolin and illite clays are used. Pore-forming additives are introduced into ordinary ceramics to reduce the weight of products. In the case of porcelain stoneware, they are not added, which helps to obtain a dense shard. Surfaces play an important role in the porcelain stoneware mixture. active substances(surfactants), which reduce internal friction in the charge and facilitate its compaction when molding products.
Porcelain tile has nothing to do with natural granite. This name was used by Mirage, which first presented this material on Russian market. The name stuck because of its strength and the characteristic grainy pattern that was on the first series of products.
Molding
For molding porcelain stoneware products, the method of dry and semi-dry pressing is used. The main difference is the high pressure, reaching 500 kg/cm2. For other types of ceramics, the pressing pressure usually does not exceed 400 kg/cm2. At this pressure, not only does the charge become compacted, but also the particles that make it up are deformed, destroyed, “pressed” into the total volume, and voids are eliminated.
The pressing process is divided into two stages. At the first stage, the mixture is pre-compacted. The subsequent release of pressure allows you to remove the air squeezed out of the charge, and the second stage of pressing completes the process and creates a biscuit that retains its shape due to the forces of surface tension and the large contact surface of the grains.
Drying is a necessary step because excess moisture with strong heating, it damages the integrity of the shard.
Burning
Firing of gres tiles is characterized by high temperatures. Conventional ceramics are fired at 950-1180 0 C. The sintering temperature of porcelain stoneware reaches 1250–1300 0 C.
The temperature increases gradually, since as it increases, at each stage certain processes occur that are important for the production of ceramics:
1. 200 0 C – evaporation of residual moisture.
2. 300-400 0 C – burnout of organic matter.
3. 500 0 C and above – dehydration of kaolinite and other minerals contained in clay.
4. 700–800 0 C – afterburning of coke residues.
5. 830-850 0 C – decomposition of clay materials into oxides with the formation of silica and alumina.
6. 920-980 0 C – the beginning of mullite formation, which intensifies at 1100-12000 C.
Mullite is a mineral that, together with quartz, provides the hardness of porcelain stoneware.
Except chemical reactions a whole complex of physical transformations occurs - the melting of some components and the dissolution of others in them, the formation and removal of the gas phase, the crystallization of new compounds. These processes continue during the cooling of the product, which is no less important than heating, and occurs according to a strict schedule.
So, the technology for manufacturing porcelain stoneware is distinguished by the selection of raw materials, high pressure during molding and elevated temperature firing
General characteristics
Pressing under high pressure, the features of raw materials and firing give the porcelain stoneware slab high density. The shard has practically no pores, and volumetric weight material is about 2400 - 2600 kg/m3. For comparison: the density of most types of tiles is 1600 – 2000 kg/m3.
Density says little about the consumer qualities of the material. The ability of products to absorb water is more informative. This property characterizes the structural density of ceramics. The most important operational parameters of the cladding are closely related to it - strength, wear resistance, frost resistance.
Water absorption of porcelain stoneware does not exceed 0.5% by weight. Some manufacturers claim this parameter at 0.1%, and for the densest samples it reaches 0.05%. Most types of ceramic tiles have a water absorption range of 3 – 10%.
Low porosity gives a quality important for finishing, especially for flooring. This is stain resistant. Most household, and not only household, pollutants are easily removed from the surface of porcelain tiles with a stream of warm water.
Strength
The concept of strength in relation to ceramic tiles is determined by three parameters:
- bending strength;
- impact strength;
- surface hardness.
According to GOST 6787-2001 ceramic slabs for the floor must have a bending strength of at least 25 MPa. For wall cladding, the requirement is significantly lower - 15 MPa. The bending strength of porcelain stoneware is 40-49 MPa. In practice, this means that you don’t have to worry about breaking the tiles by accidental pressure when working with them. As a rule, these products remain intact, even if you carelessly step on a slab left out of place. Ordinary tiles will most likely crack.
Impact strength is not standardized technical specifications tile production, so it is difficult to make a correct numerical comparison on this parameter. But from practice it is known that gres tiles remain intact in situations where the tiles are guaranteed to break. Impact resistance is especially valuable for flooring.
The hardness of ceramics is usually measured in points on the Mohs scale. This scale is based on ten minerals chosen as standards. Talc and graphite have one point on this scale. Ten is a diamond. On this scale, porcelain tile is on the same level as quartz – seven points. It cannot be scratched with a knife, glass, or file. Quartz has a hard time leaving a mark on it. The most durable samples of porcelain stoneware reach the hardness of topaz - eight points.
Conventional ceramics score 4-6 on the Mohs scale. According to GOST hardness facing tiles is not standardized at all, it only contains a requirement for a glazed surface - no lower than 5 Mohs points.
Wear resistance
The resistance of materials to abrasive wear is characterized by abrasion. Abrasion is determined by testing a sample using abrasive tool under strictly certain conditions. The numerical value of abrasion is equal to the decrease in sample mass after the test cycle. In practice, to indicate wear resistance, the division of facing tiles into classes is used according to its applicability, depending on the load.
PEI-0 – minimum durability. Tiles of this class are applicable only for wall cladding.
PEI-I - products of this class can be used for the walls and floors of the bathroom, bedroom and other rooms where there are few people wearing soft shoes or barefoot.
PEI-II - cladding suitable for the floor of residential premises, except for the kitchen and hallway.
PEI-III is a wear-resistant cladding that can be used for any premises that do not have direct access to the street. Suitable for small offices.
PEI-IV is a tile that can be used to cover the floors of living rooms, kitchens, hallways, and terraces. It will withstand the load on the floor of an office, hotel or small store.
PEI-V – floor covering public premises with high intensity of use: train stations and airports, large shops and entertainment centers.The wear resistance of most ceramic slabs is mainly determined by the hardness of the glaze covering them; this is a maximum of PE-IV class. Unglazed porcelain tiles belong to the PE-V class and can withstand any load.
Increased impact strength, hardness and wear resistance are the main differences between porcelain stoneware and conventional floor tiles. These are qualities that significantly expand the scope of application of ceramic cladding.
Frost resistance
Frost resistance is the ability of materials to withstand repeated temperature changes from “-” to “+” Celsius. This property is important for external cladding - terraces, balconies, porches, basements or building facades. Freezing followed by thawing leads to frost destruction of products. The destructive factor is the water contained in the pores and capillaries of the material. When it freezes, it expands and creates bursting loads.
According to GOST 27180-2001, frost resistance testing is carried out by repeatedly cooling a sample saturated with water to -15..-20 0 C, followed by heating in warm water up to +15..+20 0 C. Conventional ceramic slabs can withstand 25 – 125 cycles (F25 – F125), gres slabs have frost resistance F100 – F300 (up to 300 cycles).
Porcelain tiles can be used without restrictions for covering any surfaces exposed to moisture and low temperatures. One of the common applications is curtain wall systems for buildings.
The reason for the high frost resistance of porcelain stoneware is its low water absorption: there are very few pores, no water is absorbed, and there is no frost damage.
When purchasing the right type of cladding, consumers are confused when choosing which is better: porcelain tiles or tiles. In order for the scale to tip faster in one direction or another, you need to know the difference between ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware. The main thing is to find out the pros and cons of using each, and then the difference between them will become obvious. But why is porcelain tile so popular?
What is this article about?
Differences in materials
Rumors that the production of porcelain tiles involves the use of other components have long been groundless. The components of the materials are almost identical - the same clay, kaolin, quartz particles and feldspar. Then what is the difference between ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware? But the catch lies in the technology of creation - when firing porcelain stoneware, the temperature is raised to 1300º, and the press pressure is stronger (about 450 kg per cm).
Technological manufacturing features also determine the improved properties of porcelain stoneware - it is not just baked, but its components are subjected to almost melting and enormous pressure, which eliminates the occurrence of porosity, which ceramics have. It is precisely the absence of pores that allows porcelain tile cladding to be used more often for outdoor cladding work. Moisture does not penetrate into its thickness, and therefore the material cannot be destroyed during defrosting. Finishing steps, paths, and building facades with porcelain stoneware guarantees a durable and reliable result.
Advantages of internal cladding with porcelain stoneware
When conducting internal facing works The frost resistance parameter of porcelain tiles is not so critical. After all, the material is required to decorate an apartment, office, house or store, where its resistance to high temperatures is not required. However, the following properties are considered to be the advantages of porcelain stoneware for flooring:
- wear resistance - despite the fact that the coating will be regularly walked on, it will appearance capable of pleasing the eye for many years. In this connection, it is also used for cladding production areas;
- Porcelain stoneware has high strength: it can withstand loads of up to several hundred kg per cm;
- chips and cracks rarely form on slabs, which cannot be said about ceramics;
- resistance of the finish (moisture absorption less than 1%) to moisture and aggressive substances (a solvent that accidentally gets onto the surface of porcelain stoneware will not leave stains or marks on it);
- The finish is not demanding in terms of maintenance - just wiping with a damp cloth is enough to keep it clean.
The coverage has a wide color scheme and textures for the most demanding tastes. High-quality porcelain stoneware has smooth edges and clear proportions of shape, which, when laying, allows you to achieve ideal uniformity of the cladding and minimize seams.
Areas of coating use
When the differences between porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles become clear, it is possible to summarize the above and decide on the purpose of the types of cladding. When it is necessary to create wall cladding, it seems more profitable to do it with ceramic tiles. Here external conditions have almost no effect, and therefore medium-class tiles will work well.
When does it become necessary to issue street surfaces buildings and auxiliary buildings, then you don’t have to choose between tiles and porcelain stoneware - of course, porcelain stoneware. Worry about the condition of the finish and severe frosts you won't have to. Due to its low-porous structure, fire resistance and ability to retain heat for a long time, porcelain stoneware is used in the lining of stoves and fireplaces. What is the difference between porcelain stoneware and tiles here? Even the purchase of heavy-duty tiles will not allow you to compare with another coating, since wear and cooling of the first is observed faster.
It is very difficult to make a clear choice when it comes to deciding whether tiles or porcelain stoneware are more suitable. For the kitchen and bathroom, ceramics are still more appropriate. Since the load there is not very pronounced, and modern tiles have anti-slip properties. In the corridor, hallway and entrance group outside it is better to choose porcelain tiles. Since increased demands are placed on the floor surface in these areas of the house, and the floor here is subject to aggressive influence. To avoid injury on the steps, special pads are used.
Porcelain tiles will last for decades. In particular, its homogeneous variety, the pattern in which passes through all layers of the material and therefore, erasing it will be very problematic.
But when more is required decorative qualities cladding, in this regard, porcelain stoneware is not an assistant. Since the design embodiment of the tiles is acquired after glazing. Glazed porcelain tiles are also produced, but decorative coating wears off very quickly. As with other options for enameled ceramics.
Choice by consumer qualities
Acceptance specific solution Several auxiliary factors will help determine the choice of material. In doing so, they focus on:
- the type of room where the finishing material will be located;
- load factor;
- temperature mode;
- risk of chips, scratches and other mechanical defects;
- general style direction.
The difference between porcelain stoneware lies not only in its high technical and consumer qualities, but in its more expensive price. It is worth paying tribute to ordinary ceramic cladding in cases where there is no particular need to overpay for the entire range of distinctive options that porcelain stoneware has. As a last resort, you can purchase material with increased quality criteria. But then the price of the issue will be almost the same as in the situation with the second type of cladding.
Selection of finishes for the kitchen
Regarding tiling kitchen space, then the following areas of use of these two related materials are highlighted.
Flooring
It is more justified to use porcelain tiles as a floor covering. Whereas to design an apron in work area it is not suitable for the kitchen due to its characteristics - heavy weight, more complex processing.
If you intend to put porcelain stoneware on the walls of the kitchen, you can use it to decorate some of the areas, the area near the fireplace or column.
Apron
Great way to finish kitchen apron favors application tiles. Small pieces are easier to cut and install. In terms of design, there is a wider choice here - ceramic products have many colors, patterns, and textures. This will allow you to create a unique and attractive interior in your kitchen.
Tabletop
Modern kitchen design often includes tiling the countertops. Such a tabletop is not very heavy, this surface is strong and durable, and can become the owner of an interesting pattern and color. However, no one forbids covering the tabletop with small-format porcelain tiles measuring 10 by 10 cm.
Disadvantages of materials
Are there any disadvantages to porcelain tiles? Its surface will be as cold as that of a tile, in other words, the floor made of it will be quite cold. Underfloor heating systems help solve this problem. In addition, the material has a number of disadvantages.
A significant drawback is the sliding surface of the coating itself. It becomes even more slippery when moisture gets on it. For this reason, the material is not recommended for use as flooring in the bathroom.
There are many world-famous companies involved in the production of porcelain tiles today. Take at least Italian manufacturers(producing the most quality material according to experts), as well as brands of Greek, Baltic and Belarusian production, differing in similar sizes and thickness.
The special properties of each of the materials make them popular in any of the areas home renovation. And it is not possible to give the palm to any one of them, since each can be especially revered in its field of application, in which it has no equal.